Leadership is a Give and Take

Leadership is often seen as a one-way street. Leaders give orders, and followers obey. But leadership is a much more complex and nuanced process. It is a give and take, a constant exchange of energy and ideas.

When leaders give to others, they are not just giving away their power. They are also investing in their team members. They are helping them to grow and develop, and they are creating a more positive and productive work environment.

There are many benefits to giving to others as a leader. For example, it can:

• Improve morale and productivity
• Build trust and rapport
• Create a more collaborative and innovative team
• Attract and retain top talent

Of course, there are also risks to not giving to others as a leader. For example, it can:

• Lead to resentment and disengagement
• Create a toxic work environment
• Hinder the team's ability to achieve its goals
• Make it difficult to attract and retain top talent

So how can leaders give to others? Here are a few tips:

• Be supportive and encouraging.
• Be willing to share your knowledge and expertise.
• Be open to feedback and suggestions.
• Be a good listener.
• Be willing to help when needed.

It is also important to remember that giving is not always about giving away something tangible. It can also be about giving our time, our energy, and our attention. When we give to others, we are investing in their success, and we are also making the world a better place.

How to receive from others as a leader

Just as leaders need to give to others, they also need to be willing to receive from others. This is important because it shows that leaders are humble and open to feedback. It also shows that leaders are willing to learn from others.

There are a few things that leaders can do to receive from others:

• Be open to feedback.
• Be willing to admit when you are wrong.
• Be willing to ask for help.
• Be grateful for the help that you receive.

When leaders are willing to receive from others, they create a more positive and productive work environment. They also show that they are committed to learning and growing. It is not necessary that a leader should appear to be omnipotent. It is neither practical nor possible.

Being genuinely interested in the growth of the team, be it their professional growth or personal (in terms of knowledge or skillsets); is what defines a leader and differentiates from a boss. Encouraging the team to try something new, even at the cost of odd mistakes, is also particularly important. The team should feel that they have someone to fall back to, someone who they can trust.

Leaders who are willing to give to others are more likely to be successful. They are more likely to have a positive impact on their team members and their organization. They can also expect to retain most of their team members for a longer time. Remember, people leave their managers, not the organisation. Above all, such leaders are also more likely to leave a lasting legacy.